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The Governor of Texas has announced that he will deploy the National Guard across the state to maintain peace and order in anticipation of widespread protests against federal immigration enforcement actions.
Some shit you should know before you read: Over the last week, protests and riots have erupted across the US in response to recent ICE raids that began in Los Angeles, where federal agents targeted multiple workplaces, prompting a wave of outrage. What started in Southern California has since spread to major cities, including Chicago, New York City, Seattle, and Austin, Texas. In Texas alone, at least 13 protesters have been arrested so far, primarily during a volatile demonstration in Austin where tensions escalated outside the JJ Pickle Federal Building. Four Austin police officers were injured during the confrontation—three were struck by large rocks thrown by protesters, and one suffered a shoulder injury while making an arrest after being spit on.
Getting into it: In a notable development, Texas Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the deployment of the Texas National Guard across multiple locations in the state in anticipation of escalating protests against federal immigration enforcement. “Texas National Guard will be deployed to locations across the state to ensure peace & order,” Abbott wrote in a post on X late Tuesday. He added, “Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest.” The announcement comes ahead of a series of planned demonstrations, particularly the “No Kings Day” protest scheduled for Saturday in downtown San Antonio, which coincides with former President Donald Trump’s birthday and is intended to condemn his administration’s immigration policies.
The protest is being organized by several activist groups, including the 50501 Movement, the Bexar County Democratic Party, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Indivisible, and Women’s March.
According to Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, the troops will be stationed in areas where mass gatherings are anticipated, ready to assist local law enforcement if the protests escalate. In a statement to Fox News, Mahaleris said, “Texas National Guard soldiers are on standby in areas where mass demonstrations are planned in case they are needed. Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles.”
